Summer holiday activities for kids

Cool for school

The long summer holiday provides a welcome breather after a busy last term and allows children (and parents) to enjoy a more relaxed pace of life. Clear skies and plenty of sunshine invite time outdoors, and a chance for our tamariki to spend their days playing and interacting in less structured ways.

Boredom busters

The break from term time usually means less rushing around, but coming up with ways to keep kids happily entertained for this extended stretch requires creative thinking. Try these fun ideas to fill their summer days.

• Take a trip to the local library and let them explore the wonderful world of books. During the holidays there are often kid-focused library activities to join in with, too.

• Planning and packing a picnic helps to grow their food-prep skills – and can be a good precursor to them getting their own school lunches ready!

• Embrace their inner artist. Whether drawing with chalk on a concrete path or taking the paint set out to capture a picturesque scene, encourage children to express their creative side.

• On hot days, water play works for all ages. Littlies can splash around with pots and buckets, while older kids might like to spray each other with the hose or set up a slip ‘n’ slide.

• Nurture junior gardeners – let them sow fast-sprouting seeds and help with watering. Or go on a bug hunt.

• Fruit picking is a great way to enjoy the season’s bounty, whether it’s berries or stone fruit. Search online for ‘pick your own’ farms then use your harvest to make a fruit salad or include in yummy baking.

• Explore free activities for kids in-store including Kids D.I.Y. Workshops, school holiday activities and other events the whole family can enjoy. Ask at your local store for details or book your spot online.

Small people, big feelings

While initially it feels like the summer break might roll on forever, soon enough it will be mid-January, and time for the whole whānau to mentally prepare for the year ahead. For some children, this can bring mixed emotions.

Many kids are raring to get back to school, says Ciaran Fox, a public health specialist from allright.org.nz. “However, it’s normal for kids to feel a few nerves, or even be quite anxious about heading back to the classroom,” he explains. “Sometimes they may not be able to express what they are worried about. They may show it through challenging behaviour, tearfulness or struggling to get to sleep.” If this is the case in your household, then allright.org.nz recommends the following strategies:

• If your child does share a worry, just listen attentively and try to avoid dismissing feelings, intensely questioning them or jumping in to offer solutions. Just show you’re interested and happy to listen. Sometimes it’s easier to have a chat while doing something else together, like the dishes or playing a game.

• Reflect back the feelings you pick up from them (“That sounds like it’s worrying/bugging you”). Remind them that worry is normal and can even be helpful – maybe it’s nudging us to get ourselves ready and be prepared.

• Help them remember a time when they overcame a similar worry or challenge. Ask them how they felt before and after they got through it.

• Get back into a good bedtime and sleep routine ahead of week one. The process of getting school gear ready presents another good chance to chat with our kids about how they’re feeling.

Prep for success

Practical planning can help everyone feel like they are starting the new school year on the right foot. Setting up a designated homework station with a comfortable chair and desk, a shelf for books, storage for stationery and a noticeboard will make the idea of sitting down to learn or study seem less arduous. Allow them to personalise the space with picture frames, a pot plant of their choosing and a lamp.

Bunnings trend and product design specialist Mindy Mason recommends the Verve Design ‘Molly’ task lamp. “These flexible, rechargeable desk lamps are so on-trend for back-to school, because they perfectly cater to the needs of students,” she says. “The bendable ring light offers customisable angles, ideal for focused homework sessions and visibility during video chats or online study groups.”

Put up a wall planner in a shared space with everyone’s weekly routine, and make sure school activities are clearly marked so there are no unwelcome surprises. Finally, setting up good storage spaces for uniforms, school bags and shoes will make the morning rush and after-school drop zone more manageable.

Get making!

Stock up on craft supplies and craft kits for hours of creative fun with the kids.